Driving and control apparatus



Aug. 15, 1939- ,w P D 2,169,949

DRIVING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 21, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Zhwentor -w///M [m w M m m attorneys Aug. 15,- 1939,

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DRIVING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 21, 1952 s Sheets-Sheet 4 R m y) i W Jrwentor Ni MAME 152% 8g I I I LU y ' A? ornegs g- 15, 1939- W.E.' HAUPT I 2,169,949

DRIVING AND CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 21, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Smaentor Gttornegs Patented Aug. 15, 1939 UN iTED STATES PATENT. OFFICE" narvmo. 'AND oou'raor. arrlmarus William E. ,Haupt, Westviile, N. 1., assignor in Automatic Drive and on Company.

Gloucester City, N. .I., a corporation of New Jersey Application January :1, 19az,-sem No. 588,024

iclaiins.

The present invention relates to drive and control apparatus, and more particularly to drive and control apparatus utilizing automatic clutch mechanisms. My invention is applicable to the control of various types of stationary industrial power applications such, for example, as the operation of hoist mechanisms, excavating ma'-' chinery drives, and the like, but in the preferred embodiments of the invention hereinafter set forth arrangements are disclosed especially adapted for the drive and control of delivery vehicles oi the type in which a transverse pasfor which it was provided. The prior drives and sageway is provided through the. body, permitting the operator to readily alight or dismount from the vehicle in which the control elements are disposed in the passageway so as to simplify the starting and stopping of the vehicle under all conditions while-the operator is standing or sitting therein. Y V

In United States Patent #l,777,966 granted October 7, 1930, a delivery vehicle is shown inciuding a passageway extending transversely through the body, which passageway is provided with a low floor line enabling the operator of the vehicle to readily mount the vehicle in making thedeliveries for which purpose the vehicle was particularly designed. In the operation of vehicles of this character it is desirable that 9.

control arrangement be provided that will enablethe operator of the vehicle .-to expeditiously start, stop, and safely govern the vehicle with a" minimum of efiort all to the end that the vehicle is capable of most efliciently serving the purpose controls for such vehicles have been ineilicient. difllcult, and fatiguing to operate, and as a result have caused accidents which are avoidable I by utilization of my present invention.

iin object of the invention is to provide an eilicient arrangement whereby the clutch, forming a part of the driving mechanism of the vehicle, and the throttle control mechanism may 1 be simultaneously operatedin proper sequence by a single foot pedal whereby a standing operator can control .both;clutch and throttle with one vfoot. 1 I

Another object of the invention is to provide a I .novel' vehicle drive and control arrangement operable from standing position in which 'an automatic clutch forming a part of the driving mechanism of thevehicle, and the vehicle brake and engine throttle mechanisms are interconnected for successive operation either by a single foot pedal conveniently arranged in the vehicle body," 7 or bya hand'lev'er located so that the vehicle may be efllciently stopped by the operator of the vehicle, irrespective of the position that he may occupy, within wide limits, in the vehicle body.

This invention also provides a novel combination control for an automatic clutch braking and throttle mechanism of a throttle controlled power drive, permitting eflicient operation of the-motor vehicles and various industrial drives irom standing or sitting position with a maximum of safety and a minimum of operators 'i'atig'ue while at the same time securing increased smoothness and emciency oi operation, and reducing maintenance cost materially. i Y

Still further objects of the invention will appear as the description thereof proceeds with ref in automatic driving,posltive driving, and in manually declutched position respectively.

- Figure 6-is a diagrammatic side elevation with 16' erence to the accompanying drawings in which:

parts-omitted showinga modified form of my invention.

, Figure 7 isajdiagraminatic plan view with parts I i broken away, of the torn oi invention shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a iragniental view illustrating the engine controlling throttle opened by the root accelerator with'the emergency brake released and the emergency brake lever in intermediate position in the formof invention illustrated in Figuresfi and 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmental view showing the engine throttle open under control of the emer gency brake lever, with the emergency brake released in the form of invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic side elevation with parts omitted of a further modified driving and control arrangement embodying my invention.

Figure 11-is a'diagrammatic plan view of the I form oi." invention shown in Figure 10.

Figures 12, 13 and 1t are, diagrammatic side elevations of the 10m oi-invention shown in Figure 11 illustrating different control positions thereof.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reference character I indicates an internal combustion motor of any well lmown type which is suitably suported in a manner, not shown) in the chassis of a delivery vehicle, for example, the type illustrated in United States Patent #1377366.

The motori is provided with a flywheel housing 2 of any well known construction to which is bolted clutch houslng 8, within which a centrifngally operated automatic clutch, preferably of the general type illustrated in oopending application 8. N. 488.757 flied October 15, 1930, is located, and in whicli a set of centrlfugally operated weights are arranged during automatic operation. A clutch of the type referred to and pr'ovidedwith a manual control is disclosed in Patent No. 1,822,716 to H. H. Vail granted September 1, 1931. As will be more fully understood by reference to saidcopending application or said patent, when engine i is operatingat or below idling speeds or is at rest in automatic position, the centrifugal clutch operating weights are retracted and cause disengagement of the driving and driven clutch members. When the engine speed increases aboveidling speed the driving and driven clutch members are brought into engagement with increasing pressures until at operating speeds of the engine at which the maximum torque is developed, the driven shaft I leading to the usual multi-speed transmission (not shown) is driven without slippage at engine speeds. I

As will be clearly understood by reference to said copending application the driving and driven clutch members may be manually separated independently of 'the centrifugal weight operation through actuation of clutch throwout yoke which shifts clutch throwout bearing diagrammatically indicated at 8 to retract the driven clutch plate from engagement with the driving clutch plate, thereby disconnecting shaft 4 from the engine I. The lower end of clutch throwout yoke 5 is rigidly secured to and mounted for rotation with clutch throwout shaft I journalled' Rig-' in suitable bearings 8 in clutch housing 3. idlysecured to a projecting end of clutch throwout shaft 1 is manual operating clutch lever 9,

'the lower end of which is connected by means of pivot pin ii to one end of clutch link i2. The opposite end of clutch link i2 is pivotally secured by means'of pin ii to the lower end of clutch lever l4.

- Pin i3 extends into and through opening lb of the automatic and positive clutch-control.

latch member I6 (Figures 2 to 5) and is adapted to rest in automatic notch II or positive notch l8 of latch member i5. Latch member I is provided with threaded end I9 by means of which it is adjustably threaded into member 20 rotatably supported on clutch throwout shaft 1. Latch member IB'is urged in a clockwise direc-' tion to the position shown in Figures 3 and 5 by means of a coil spring 22', one end of which is connected to the latch member and the other end of which is connected to the vehicle framing (not shown), but may be raised manually to permit pin l3 to enter slot i8 at the will of the operator thereby permitting the parts to assame the position shown in Figure 4.

The upper end of clutch lever i4 is rigidly secured by means of pin II to clutch operating shaft 22 which is journalled for rotation in suitable bearings supported from the vehicle frameworl: (not shown) and is rotatable in the hollow brake shaft 23. Secured by means of pin 24 to the left end of the brake shaft 22 is clutch pedal 25, which extends through a suitable slot in the engine housing of the vehicle and is supported above the floor of the vehicle a sumcient distance to permit it to assume the operating positions illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The engine housing and vehicle floor line are indicated bythe dot and dash line 26.

. In operation of the clutch mechanisms so far described, with pin [3 in the automatic n'otch l1, clutch pedal 25 together with the connected clutch operating mechanism in normal position holds clutch operating bearing 6 so that with speed being permitted to rise to a point where' the engine will develop a substantial torque before a substantial driving couple is effected between the driving and driven clutch members.

With the clutch pedal 25 depressed to the p0 sition illustrated in Figure 5, clutch bearing 6 is retracted sufilciently so that independently of the automatic operating mechanism disengage-1 ment of driving and driven clutch members is effected, and shift operations of the vehicle trans-' mission mechanism are permitted in the usual manner.

With the clutch pedal lockout latch it in the position illustrated in Figure 3 no driving con-' nection can be effected between the engine and the rear wheels of the vehicle at speeds below idling speed of the engine. However, in motor vehicle operation it may become desirable when,

the engine is cold or the vehicle battery is low, to start the engine by coasting down a hill or by towing the vehicle. In'such an event, latch member i8 may be manually raised for example by the Bowden wire device it to permit pin II to nest in the positive notch i8 causing clutch pedal 25 to assume positive driving position shown inFigure 4. Clutch bearing 6 with related parts will then move forward as illustrated in Figure'i, and as will be apparent from 9. reference to the copending application or patent,

the clutch springs will then force the driven and driving clutch members into driving engage-I ment, even though the automatic centrifugal operating mechanism is in fully retracted position.

As soon as the engine has been started in this way actuation of pedal 25 will remove pin Hi from slot l8, and spring 22 will then function to restore clutch latch i6, so that on release of the pedal the parts will again assume the automatic operating position shown in Figure 3.

Clutch pedal 25 is disposed at one side of the steering post of vehicle steering wheel 26', and

, extending into the'vehicle body at the other side brake link 33, the opposite end of which is connected by means of pin 34 to the upper end of brake lever 35'keyed on and rotatable with hollow shaft 23.

Secured to and rotatable with shaft 23 is another brake lever 36 in the upper end of which a protruding pin 31 is secured. Pin 31 extends through elongated slot 38 of brake link 39, the forward end of which is pivotally connected by means of pin 4| to service brake and throttle hand lever 42. Lever 42 is provided with a latch 43 operated through suitable interconnections by lever 44 in any well known manner. Latch 43 engages the'teeth of a ratchet 45' suitably supported in any well known manner from the vehicle framing, to lock lever 42 adjustably in po.-

sitions selected by the operator. The lower end of lever 42 is pivotally supported by means of determined initial free movement determined by adjustment of brake mechanism 29, will cause actuation of the hydraulic brakes in well known manner. While actuation of foot pedal 21 will cause operation of link 33, lever 35, collar shaft 23 and the brake lever 36, theresulting motion of brake lever 36 will move pin 31 in slot 38 pro-- ducing no eifect. When hand lever 42 is moved from the full position, '(throttle position C), shown in Figure 1 with brake pedal 21 elevated as shown, the resulting motion of link 39 will cause the end of slot 38 to again engage pin 31 and will rotate lever 36, and shaft 23 actuating link 33 to cause depression of brake pedal 21 and operation of hydraulic brake cylinder mechanism 29 to cause operation of the brake. The brake application .commences when lever 42 reaches position A in Figure 1, and application is complete when it reaches position B. It will.

therefore be seen that the brake cylinder mechanism 29 may be operated either through foot actuation of lever 21 or hand actuation of the lever 42 between positions A and B.

Clutch lever l4 and brake lever 36 are provided with throttle operating extensions. 46 and "having holes in which throttle control rods 48 I throttle operating levers 52 and 53, the lower ends of which are connected to the throttle controlling cross shaft 54 supported from the clutch casing flange or in any other suitable manner from the vehicle frame by means of bearing brackets 55.

Secured to the right end of shaft 54 is the lower end of throttle-lever 56 provided with a springsecuringextension 51 to which one end of tension spring 58 is secured. The opposite end of spring 58 is secured to a suitable bracket 59 supported from the engine I or from the vehicle frame in any suitable manner. Pivotally connected to the upper'end of lever 56 is one end of throttle rod 6|, the other end of which is slid-. ably supported in a hole formed in extension 62 of throttle operating arm 63. The upper end of arm 63 isconnected to the throttle operating shaft of carburetor 64 which supplies'fuel mixture to engine I in well known manner. Carburetor 64 is provided with the usual choke valve operated by arm 65 and Bowden wire 66 from the vehicle dash.

Interposed between nut 61 on the end of throttle rod 6| and extension 62 of arm 63 is a coil spring 68 which normally holds a stop nut or collar which threaded-on rod 6i before its end is introduced into 62 in engagement with extension 62, as more clearly seen in Figure 1A.

In" the position of parts shown in Figure 1, with hand lever 42 in forward position and clutch and brake pedals 25 and 21 released throttle extensions 46 and 41 of brake and clutch levers i4 42 in Figure 1, no braking operation of cylinder 29 will occur, and in position B of lever 42 full speed of the vehicle the operator of the vehicle sets lever '42 in the desired position between the closed position A and open throttle .position C illustrated in Figure 1, setting extension 41 in a position to give the desired throttle opening, in which position the throttle will be held so long as the clutch and brake pedals 25 and 21 are released. To retard the vehicle speed either brake pedal 21 or the clutch pedal 25 may be depressed h by the operator to retract throttle operating extension 46' or 41 and rod" or 49 to rotate lever 52 or 53 and the throttle controlling shaft 54, together with the connected lever 56 in a clockwise direction in Figure 1, thereby closing the ,throttle and applyingthe brakes, manually declutchin'g the clutch driving and driven members. It will thereforebe seen that when either the clutch or the brake pedal is depressed, the

engine throttle will be closed and cannot ,again the clutch driven member until the engine speedis again accelerated'by opening of the throttle to speed the engine above idling speed. In traffic, the operator can therefore set hand lever 42 to give the desired maximum vehicle speed and when he desires to slow the vehicle speed or stop for trailic, all that will be required is depression of the brake pedal 21 to close the throttle and apply the brakes. If the vehicle slows down to a speed corresponding to the idling speedof the 6 sired amount. and as the engine speeds up the clutch disclosed in said pending application and patent will pick up the vehicle in high gear under normal. operating conditions without the necessity of shifting. Where a quick pick-up is desired or the vehicle is stopped on a hill too steep to permit pick-up of the vehicle in high gear, as soon as the automatic clutch release occurs the operator can'shift into a lower gear and when the brake'is released, thus opening throttle, the vehicle will pick up very rapidly and smoothly.

After such an operation, to again get into high gear or direct drive quickly, the operator may depress clutch pedal 25 in the usual manner to manually disengage the clutch, which also closes the throttle, and shift in the usual manner, As soon as the clutch pedal is released the throttle, (which closed on depression of the clutch pedal),

. will again open to the predetermined position.

When the driver desires to stop for the purpose of making a delivery, all that he need do is move lever 42 from open throttle'position to the position B. As lever 2 reaches intermediate position A the throttle will be fully closed, and on further clockwise movement the brake will be applied. As the engine drops to idling speed the automatic clutch will eifect disconnection of the engine from the driven shaftand the vehicle comes to rest with the engine operated at idling speeds. The driver can immediately leave the vehicle to make a delivery and when he returns all that he need do to start the vehicle is to adjust hand lever 2 forward of the intermediate position a suflicient amount to set the throttle for the desired speed of the vehicle. As the throttle opens the engine will speed up and the automatic clutch will engage in the manner above set forth.

Figures 6 to 9 inclusive, show a modified form of vehicle control adapted for operation with equal facility from standing position or from sitting position. In this form of invention the engine and combination automatic and manual clutch and control constructions are similar to those disclosed in Figures 1 to 5. Like reference characters have been employed to indicate like parts on the drawings and for a full understanding of the parts of thisform of invention, not hereinafter described in detail, reference may be had to the foregoing description.

In this form of invention the throttle control connection to the clutch and brake operating mechanism is eliminated and brake pedal 21 is directly keyed to hollow brake operating shaft 23 which is rotatably mounted on the clutch operating shaft 22 in the manner hereinafter set .forth. Mechanical brakes are operated by hollow shaft 22 through brake operating arm H keyed thereto, and to the upper end of which the service brake rod I2 is pivotally connected by means of pin I3. Service brake rod 12 operates mechanical service brakes, for example of the well known Ford type. In this form of invention the shaft 4 extends through a torque tube ll above the level of floor 26 and is housed by a suitable tunnel II as illustrated in United States Patent 1,777,966. Emergency brake structure 16 supported by torque tube I4 is provided for propeller shaft 4. Brake I6 is operated through cam 11, in turn actuated by emergency brake operating arm ll in well known manner. Arm 16 is pivotally connected at I! to the rear end of emergency brake rod 8|, the forward end of which is pivotally connected by means of pin 82 to the lower end of emergency hand brake and hand throttle lever 62. Lever I3 is pivotally supported on shaft N from the vehicle framework by suitable brakes, (not shown) and is provided with a latch 8! adapted to engage the teeth of locking quadrant l6 suitably supported from the vehicle framework to lock lever 83 adjustably in selected position. Latch 85 is operated by rod 81, in turn actuated by handle 88 pivotally supported adjacent the upper end of hand lever ii in well known manner.

Pivotally connected by means of pin 88 to leve it is the rear end of adjustable throttle control rod 9|, the forward end of which is threaded into throttle actuating member 92. Formed in member 92 is slot 93. Slidably projecting into slot 93 is throttle operating pin 94 rigidly secured in the lower end of throttle operating lever 65. The upper end of throttle operating lever 95 is keyed to throttle operating shaft 54.

Secured to the left end of throttle operating shaft 54 is a foot operating pedal or accelerator lever, and secured to the opposite end of crossshai't I4 is throttlenp'rating arm 91, the lower end of which is connected to throttle operating link 96 by means of a pin 99. The forward end of link 9| is secured by means of pin III to the lower end of throttle operating arm 63; Thottle arm 62 in this form of the invention is urged toward closed throttle position by a coiled spring I 02, one end of which isconnected to the lower end of arm 63, the other end of which is connected to a bracket I of any suitable type supported from the vehicle.

With the parts in the position shown in Figure 6, the emergency brake is applied and the throttle is in closed position. With the engine either at rest or operating at idling speeds the automatic clutch mechanism will be retracted and the clutch driving and driven members will be disengaged.

When it is desired to drive the vehicle from sitting position in the usual manner lever 82 is moved to the position A illustrated by the dot and dash lines in Figure 6, and shown in full lines in Figure 8, in which position of parts the emergency brake is released and the throttle is under sole control of foot accelerator 96. a When it is desired to operate the vehicle from standing position, hand lever 83 is moved from intermediate position A toward the position C illustrated in Figure 6 by the dot and dash line and in Figure 9 by the full line position. As hand lever 83 is moved forward of intermediate position A the end of slot 93 will engage pin 94 and will rock shaft 54 in a clockwise direction to open the throttle of car'- bureto'r 64 an amount depending upon the position of lever 83 forward. of neutral position. When driving in standing position or in sitting position, the usual manual declutching shift and braking operations may be performed by actuation of clutch pedal and brake pedal 21 in well known manner.

When the driver desires to stop the vehicle to make a delivery lever 83 is moved in a clockwise direction retracting throttle control member 92 and permitting spring I02 to first close the throttle of carburetor 64 after which continued movement of lever 83 will apply the emergency brake bringing the vehicle to a stop. When the engine speed reaches idling speed the automatic clutch mechanism will cause disengagement of the driving and driven clutch members and the vehicle will be brought to rest. Upon re-entering the vehicle by moving lever 83 forward the emergency brake will first be released and thereafter the vehicle throttle will be opened, the engine will speed up, causing the automatic clutch mechanism to force the clutch driving and driven members into engagement in the manner above set forth.

In the form of invention shown in Figures 10 to 13 inclusive 9. further modified form of invention is disclosed especially applicable to standing and sitting drive controls. g

In this form of invention the engine clutch and brake mechanisms of Figures 6 to 9 inclusive, may be utilized. Like characters have been applied to parts similar to those illustrated in connection with the forms of invention heretofore described. and for a full understanding of such parts reference may be had to the foregoing description thereof.

In this form of invention pivotally connected to brake and throttle lever 83 is a member Ii i provided with a guide hole in which throttle control rod H2 is slidablysupported. The end of rod H2 is threaded to receive nuts lit to which the outer ends of tension springs H4 surrounding rod II; are secured. The inner ends of springs H4 are secured to member Ill, thereby forming a two-way yielding motion transmitting connection between rod i i2 and hand lever 83. The rear 7 end of rod H2 is connected by means of pin H5 quadrant 86 is provided with a friction locking trol purposes, cam Ill or cam III, as the case may be,willeng age camarms H1 or ill and will to the upper end of lever N8, the lower end of which is supported on and keyed to throttle cross shaft 54. Keyed to the end of cross shaft 54 are the clutch and brakecam arms Ill and 8 respectively, the lower ends of which are held in engagement with cams LI! and I20, respectively. Cams H9 and III are secured to and rotatable with clutch pedal and brake pedal 2'! respectively. Y i

In this form of invention it will be noted that section for throttle control, and the ratchet tooth locking section in brake control position. The operation of this form of invention is similar to the operation described in detail in connection with Figures 1 to 5. with hand lever 83 in intermediate position A indicated in Figure 10 by the dot and dash lines and as shown in full lines in Figure 14, the emergency brake is released. with forcibly rotate them in a clockwise direction in Figure 10, moving the throttle arm '8 forcibly to and holding it in closed throttle position as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, even though lever 33 is set in open throttle position, closing of the throttle being permitted by springs Ill. 80 long as either the clutch pedal II or brake pedal 21 is depressed cam Ill or I" will prevent opening of the throttle as shown in Figures 10, 12 and 18, and the throttle cannot be opened until both pedals 2| and I! are in released position. In addition to providing an emcient and convenient standing drive control with all of the advantages set forth in connection with Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, abuse of the automatic clutch by depressing the clutch pedal, racing the engine, and then releasing the clutch is prevented.

The invention may be embodied in other s ciflc forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment-is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

What I claim and desire to secure by United accessible from said passageway comprising a clutch controlling foot pedal, a brake controlling foot pedal, a fuel controlling foot pedal anda brake controlling hand lever; and fuel controlling connections actuated by each of said foot pedals and said hand lever and operative to feed fuel to the vehicle engine only when said brake and clutch controlling pedals are in released position.

2. Vehicle drive and control mechanism comprising an internal combustion engine; a controlling throttle for said engine; an automatically operable clutch driven by said engine; vehicle drive means driven by said clutch; a manually operable foot pedal controlling said clutch; a'

brake controlling hand lever; means controlled by said hand lever controlling the opening of said throttle; means to cause closing, of said throttle regardless of the position of said hand lever when said foot pedal is depressed, and a foot accelerator control operative to open said .throttle only when saidfoot pedal is released.

3. Vehicle drive and control mechanism comprising an internal combustion engine; a controlling throttle for said engine; an automatically operable clutch driven by said engine; vehicle drive means driven by said clutch; a brake con-1 trolling foot pedal; a brake controlling hand 1ever; means controlled by said hand lever operative to control the opening of said throttle; means to cause closing of said throttle regardless of the position of said hand lever when said foot pedal is depressed. and afoot accelerator control for said throttle operative to open said throttle only when said foot pedal is released. I

4. Vehicle drive and control mechanism comprising an internal combustion engine; a controlling throttle for said engine; an automatically operable clutch driven by said engine; vehicle drive means driven by said clutch; a manually operable foot pedal controlling said clutch; a brake controlling foot pedal; a brake controllin's' hand lever; means controlled by said hand lever operative to control the opening of said throttle; means to cause closing of said throttle regardless of the position of said hand lever when either of said foot pedals is actuated, and a foot accelerator control for said throttle operable to open said throttle only when said foot pedals are released i WILLIAM E. HAUP'IX 

